Sat Sep 13 18:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Tax Deadline Looms: Millions Expected to File in Final Days

**New Delhi -** With the income tax return (ITR) filing deadline of September 15th rapidly approaching, tax authorities are bracing for a surge in submissions. As of Friday, 5.95 crore returns had been filed. Experts estimate that around 2 crore returns are still expected to be filed in the remaining three days.

For those who have yet to file, tax advisors are urging calm and offering guidance on navigating the process. First-time filers need to register on the Income Tax portal before logging in. The portal provides tools like tax calculators to assess liability under both old and new tax regimes, allowing taxpayers to choose the most advantageous option.

Crucial documents for filing include Form 16 (issued by employers), interest certificates (available via net banking), and the Annual Information Statement (AIS) and Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS), downloadable from the I-T portal. Taxpayers should also ensure they are using the correct ITR form; ITR-1 and ITR-2 are common for salaried individuals, while ITR-3 is for those with business or professional income. This year, ITR-1 can be filed even if there are long-term capital gains up to 1.25 Lakh.

A common hurdle reported by taxpayers is slow website performance due to heavy traffic. Experts advise patience and persistence. Discrepancies between Form 16 and tax documents (26AS) should be reconciled to avoid defective return notices.

For first-time filers, engaging a chartered accountant or tax expert is recommended to ensure accuracy and avoid potential penalties.

Finally, taxpayers are reminded to verify their returns after filing to ensure their submissions are valid. Failure to verify can invalidate the entire filing process.

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